communication across cultures
DESCRIPTION
In international business management, cultural differences play a crucial role. One of the key element here is communication and each culture has its own style of communication. This presentation gives a snapshot of what it means to communicate across cultures.TRANSCRIPT
Communication Across Cultures
• What is communication?• Cultural Influence on the Communication Process• High & Low Context Cultures• Communication Styles• Nonverbal communication• Protocols Governing Formalities & Behaviors• Communication Barriers• Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness
What is communication?
The word communication comes from the
communis (Latin) meaning “common”.
Communication is the process of transmitting
information & knowledge from the sender to
the receive with a purpose to bring about
mutual understanding, confidence and good
human relations”.
Communication is like oxygen and inherent to all
living beings.
High & Low Context Cultures
Low Context• Business relationships are complicated, hence language should
be frank and direct• Nonverbal cures are often not important• Message is typically more important than the medium
High Context• Business relationships are complicated, hence, language
should be diplomatic and indirect• Nonverbal cures are often important• Medium is often more important than message
Middle Context (most countries fall here)• Business relationships are complicated, but language can be
frank as far as possible.• Both, non-verbal & verbal cues are important• Medium & message, both are important
Communication Styles
Direct & Indirect
Indirect Common in HC cultures Messages are implicit &
indirect, mainly because
social orientation is high
Direct Common in LC cultures Messages are explicit &
direct, mainly because
social orientation is low
Elaborate, Exact & Succinct
Elaborate Used in HC
cultures with
moderate UA A great deal of
talking with many
repetitions
Exact Used in LC
cultures with low
UA Focus on
precision Least repetitions
Succinct Used in HC
cultures with
high UA Use fewer words Medium
repetitions
Communication Styles
Contextual & Personal StyleContextual Common in HC & collective
cultures Focus on speaker’s title &
relations with parties Use of words that reflect
the role & hierarchical relationship
Personal Common in LC &
individualistic cultures Focus on speaker as an
individual & not on relations with parties
Use of first name & addressing others directly
Affective & InstrumentalAffective Common in HC cultures More relationship oriented Need to understand the
meaning based on
nonverbal clues
Instrumental Common in LC cultures More goal oriented More use of direct language
and less of nonverbal cues
Communication Styles - Examples
CountryIndirect vs.
Direct
Elaborate vs. Exact vs. Succint
Contextual vs. Personal
Affective vs. Instrumental
Australia Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
Canada Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
Denmark Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
Egypt Indirect Elaborate Contextual Affective
England Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
Japan Indirect Succinct Contextual Affective
Korea Indirect Succint Contextual Affective
Saudi Arabia
Indirect Elaborate Contextual Affective
Sweden Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
USA Direct Exact Personal Instrumental
India ??? ??? ??? ???
Nonverbal Communication
Haptics (communication through body contact) - Hand
gestures (intended & unintended), embracing,
hugging, kissing
Interpersonal distance (Proxemics) – 18” is intimate
distance, 18” to 4’ is personal, 4’ to 8’ is social & >
8’ is public distance
Facial expressions - Smiles, frowns, yawns
Standing and sitting postures
Clothing
Eye contact, gazing, movement of eyelid, shedding tears
Use of colors
Nonverbal Communication
Hair style
Artifacts - tiepins, jewelry
Paralanguage - speech rate, pitch, volume
Habits - drink sipping, smoking, tobacco chewing,
alcohol
Cosmetics - powder, fragrance
Time symbolism - what is the right time to call, to
start, to finish
Pause and timing while speaking
Walking
Proverbs & Cultural Values
Proverb Cultural Value
A penny saved is a penny earned Thriftiness
Time is money Importance of time
Don’t cry over spilt milk Be practical
Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise
Diligence, work ethic
A stitch in time saves nine Action in time
Take care of today, and tomorrow will take care of itself
Preparation for future
Communication Barriers
Language
Knowing the language (vocabulary & grammar) &
speaking the language are two different aspects
Difference between spoken & written language
Translation can often lead to misunderstanding (brief
exercise on translation backwards)
Cultural
Nonnative speakers use exaggerated politeness & provide
unnecessary information
Directness vs. indirectness of communication is affected
by the culture (HC vs. LC)
Communication Barriers
Perceptual / stereotyping Advertizing message (example of launching “Fiera” truck
by Ford in Spain)
Being direct can also be perceived as being rude
Business cards (no of cards, bi-lingual & presentation
style)
Greeting (Namaste, Handshake, Bowing, Embracing,
Kissing)
Attire (Formal, semi-formal, business casuals, casuals)
Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness
Gather relevant information on the business culture of
the country
Develop language appreciation or take language training
Neutralize accents (“whose” & “hose”, “Canara” &
“Kanara”, “Yeah”)
Listen and do proper lip reading
Paraphrase, cross-check and seek feedback
Suggestions for Communication Effectiveness
Use straight forward language, speak clearly & slowly
Be sensitive to non-verbal communication
Recognize the time zone sensitivities
Check spelling and grammar before sending the
communication
Use only universally accepted abbreviations
Use suitable & preferred technology / methods